Newsletter

Homeless Savannah mother: 'Don't look at us differently'

Tarsah McGhee-Squire of Savannah knows firsthand what it’s like to be a homeless mother. Even with her full-time security job, Tarsah lost the efficiency apartment in south Florida where she lived with her husband and their three children.

They stayed a few nights in a motel, then with relatives and spent one night in their van.

“Every night, we were waking up in a different place,” Tarsah said. “My kids were stressed out. I wasn’t sleeping. I didn’t know what was going to happen to us.”

The family headed to Savannah to stay with relatives. But the house was entirely too crowded. Tarsah feared her family would be sleeping in their van again.

Fortunately, she found out about Interfaith Hospitality Network of Coastal Georgia, which alleviates homelessness among families with children by providing shelter in local churches, meals and intensive support.

At 9 a.m., April 2, a Tour de Kids bike ride around Lake Mayer will raise money for Interfaith. All children in grades preK-8th are invited to participate. Registration forms are due March 30. To register, call 912.790.9446 or email LBrown@innsav.org.

Helping homeless children

After my column earlier this month about Georgia’s growing problem of homeless children, several advocacy groups reached out. They wanted to share examples of programs that are working to help homeless children.

One such program is Project Community Connections Inc. in Metro Atlanta, which has a DeKalb Kids Home Collaborative to assist the roughly 180 DeKalb homeless families living in extended stay motels. PCCI has partnerships with a local emergency shelter, a job placement agency and the DeKalb County School System’s Homeless School Liason.

Another program having a positive impact is the nonprofit social service agency currently helping Tarsah and her family, Interfaith Hospitality Network of Coastal Georgia.

In the 13 years since Interfaith accepted its first guests, the organization has helped nearly 800 homeless families find shelter at host churches through its program. Interfaith provided more than 2,360 nights of shelter and more than 4,720 meals to homeless families in 2010.

Churches involved help in two ways. Some host the families, providing meals, companionship and rooms within the church building that can be converted into temporary bedrooms. Other churches provide volunteers to serve meals and interact with the families.

LaVanda Brown, executive director of the local Interfaith chapter, talks at Savannah schools to educate children about homeless youth and to garner participation in Tour de Kids. She said children are eager to help.

“Kids don’t have the same stereotypes about homelessness that adults do,’’ Brown said. “They just want to know how to help.”

Finding jobs, homes

Tarsah and her husband found jobs within three weeks of moving to Savannah. She’s working in security and looking for a second job. He’s working at a restaurant.

Their long-term dream is to find a place of their own.

Chances are that dream will come true.

After an average of 40 days, 73 percent of the homeless families that Interfaith sheltered were able to find permanent housing. Interfaith provided more than 2,360 nights of shelter and more than 4,720 meals to homeless families in 2010.

In the meantime, Tarsah needs daycare for her youngest children, ages 20 months and 5. But for now, she’s thankful to have comfortable, secure places to stay.

Interfaith workers serve home-cooked meals, play with or tutor children, interact with parents and provide overnight security. They even threw Tarsah’s son a birthday party when he turned 5.

Tarsah’s 16-year-old daughter does what she can to hide her family’s situation from friends.

A reminder to Tarsah that we have a lot to learn about who homelessness can affect.

“Don’t look at us differently,’’ she says. “In a blink of an eye, the same can happen to you.”

Contact Anne Hart at anne@southernmamas.com

Tour de Kids benefit

What: Fund raiser for Interfaith Hospitality Network of Coastal Georgia. A kids’ bike tour around Lake Mayer to raise money for homeless children in Savannah. Prize levels for individuals and teams. The team that raises the most money will receive a team Pizza Party and all team members will receive a fun goodie bag. All children in grades preK-8th are invited to participate.

When: 9 a.m. - noon, April 2

Where: Lake Mayer Community Park

Cost: $10 registration includes an event T-shirt, water bottle and access to carnival-style activities in the park.

How to participate: Registration forms are due March 30. To register, call 912-790-9446 or email LBrown@innsav.org